Method of making skeletal tetrahedrons

ABSTRACT

Skeletal tetrahedrons are formed by molding them in two halves and then joining the halves. Each half is comprised by a pair of triangles having a common base, the apices of the triangles being spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the base.

United States Patent [191 Bardot Dec. 11, 1973 [54] METHOD OF MAKING SKELETAL 3,289,322 12/1966 Patrick 35/18 A TETRAHEDRONS 3,645,059 2/1972 Grimm 46/24 [76] giggi FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 848,389 9/1960 Great Britain 52/DlG. 10 [22] Filed: Mar. 31, 1972 909,217 5/1946 France 52/D1G. 10

[21] Appl. No.: 240,053

' Primary ExaminerCharlie T. Moon [30] Foreign Application Priority Data rn y1rvin S- Thompson et a1.

Apr. 2, 1971 France 71/11659 [52] US. Cl 29/463, 29/527.l, 35/18 A, 57 ABSTRACT 35/72, 46/24, 52/D1G. 10 [51] Int. Cl B2ld 39/02 Skeletal tetrahedrons are f d by mowing them i [58] Field of Search 29/463, 527.1,; two halves and then joining the ha|ves Each h lf is 52/DIG- 10; 46/24 263 35/18 72 comprised by a pair of triangles having a common base, the apices of the triangles being spaced apart a [56] References C'led distance equal to the length of the base.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1957 Zimmerman 46/25 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures METHOD OF MAKING SKELETAL TETRAIIEDRONS The present invention relates to the production of skeletal tetrahedrons, more particularly by molding.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing skeletal tetrahedrons, in which only easily demolded pieces need be produced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the production of skeletal tetrahedrons, comprising assembly from a plurality of identical pieces.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of a pair of identical components of a skeletal tetrahedron in which the triangular sides are equilateral triangles, in position for assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing an embodiment of the invention in which the triangular sides of the tetrahedron are isosceles triangles.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, and first to FIG. I, there is shown a pair of components of a skeletal tetrahedron, each of which is characterized by a base 3 and legs 4, the base 3 forming with each pair of interconnected legs 4 an equilateral triangle, the equilateral triangles having their apices remote from base 3 spaced apart a distance equal to the length of base 3. In other words, each of the apices of each of the components shown in FIG. 1 is located at an apex of the tetrahedron to be formed. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the triangles formed by the apices are equilateral and each apex is the same distance from each other apex.

In general, the base 3 will be about twice as thick as the legs 4, the skeletal tetrahedron being formed from two identical components as shown in FIG. 1, which are assembled by moving them together from a position in which they are oriented as in FIG. 1, and then securing them together by any convenient means such as soldering, cementing, riveting or the like. The components are produced by molding from any convenient material such as synthetic resin, which may be thermosetting or thermoplastic, or from metal such as aluminum.

and entitled Construction Set and Element Thereof-' namely, utility in a construction set for amusement and/or educational purposes.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 is like that of FIG. 1, ex-

cept that the legs 4 are longer than the base 3 and so the two triangles in each component are isosceles, the apices of thetetrahedron being spaced apart two different distances; but it remains true that the apices of the isosceles triangles of each component are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of base 3.

It will of course be understood that if it were attempted to form the completed tetrahedron in one piece by molding, the nature of the molds and the procedures that would have to be followed would be extremely complicated and expensive.

Accordingly, from a consideration of the foregoing disclosure, it will be evident that the initially recited objects of the present invention have been achieved.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, as those skilled in this art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

l. A method of producing a skeletal tetrahedron, comprising forming by molding a plurality of identical components each comprised by a pair of skeletal triangles having a common base with the apices of the triangles spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the base, and then securing together a pair of said components with the components nested together and the base of each component extending between the apices of the triangles of the other component of the pair.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said triangles are equilateral triangles.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said triangles are isosceles triangles. 

1. A method of producing a skeletal tetrahedron, comprising forming by molding a plurality of identical components each comprised by a pair of skeletal triangles having a common base with the apices of the triangles spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the base, and then securing together a pair of said components with the components nested together and the base of each component extending between the apices of the triangles of the other component of the pair.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said triangles are equilateral triangles.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said triangles are isosceles triangles. 